"Mr. Cannon's talents as a mime, musician and educator combined to bring our audience a delightful mix of whimsy, insight, and participation as we traveled into his world of quest and discovery. It is rare to find a mime who has something to say; we listened intently."
Robert Kotta, Curator of Education, The Kendall Whaling Museum, Sharon, MA

"This was a great enrichment/culture event for us, as well as a guidance type activity, probably the finest assembly we've had!"
Stewart Armstrong, Principal, Chichester Central School, Chichester, NH SCOT CANNON Reviews

"Scot delivered a high caliber performance to hundreds of parents and kids during the Festival. Not only is he funny and entertaining but he also presents a strong message about accepting people who may be different. He is inspirational..."
Julie Mason, Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association, Carver, MA

"We Can" "In my fourteen years of working with adolescents, never have I seen such a marvelous presentation ... Scot captures the essence of growing up in a performance that makes it so real, the kids can relate. His sensitivity and obvious knowledge of the age group was very apparent. Many students have spoken of your performance and were really touched."
Paul DuCott, LCSW, Adjustment Counselor, Galvin Middle School, Canton, MA

"We wanted an entertainer that would amuse both the adults and the children, and Scot fit the bill perfectly ... He was delightful, funny and thoughtful. His final touch to remove his makeup and thank the children was absolutely wonderful, and highly appreciated."
Kathleen Harrington, Account Executive, Lashley & Company, Boston, MA

"Scot's dedication as a performer-teacher clearly showed through when he came out into the audience after his mime performance and spoke with the students about what they had seen. He wanted to make sure that they left with the messages he had intended to portray. It was a touch of genius from an educator's point of view. Scot had done `closure' on his lesson. The faculty commented on what a unique touch that was to the assembly program."
John Lovering, Coordinator, Triton Regional School, Byfield, MA

"We had no way of knowing when 1,000 expected little ones would choose to come through or how to accomplish entertaining them. Scot handled it all fantastically; as guests filled the hall he had an ongoing theme which they could get involved with at any time. Above and beyond the call of duty, "
Edie Nichols, Rent An Event Services, New Bedford, MA

"Students who were marginally interested in school, if at all, suddenly found a reason to be excited ... Scot was able to make them feel good by identifying the trials of adolescence in an artistic and fun way. Any youth program which has a chance to work with Scot would be mistaken not to take the opportunity."
Jon Sass, Student Support Staff, Lynch Junior High, Holyoke, MA

"Scot was simply stunning! Our audience ranged in age from 5 years to 60 years and all loved the show. It was really wonderful to see all participating..."
Jill Streck, Runkle School, Brookline, MA

"The Next Step" "Both the staff and the students thoroughly enjoyed your re-enactment of your career decision on life after high school. Many of the students for which you performed are facing that similar decision, and I feel that finding out that their feelings are not isolated, but are universal to all allows them (to) understand themselves in a more realistic manner."
Mary A. Mushok, Ed.D, Principal, Bridge Academy, Springfield, MA

"Open the Door" "Scot is a positive role model for kids who struggle with conflict resolution. He is both a talented and skillful performer as well as a dedicated educator."
J. Chris Moore, Executive Director, Springfield Arts Council, Springfield, OH

"The production effectively dealt with current student issues, and many of them were able to personally relate to the issues confronting the main character. An outstanding job of helping students ti realize they do have choices, and that they should and can make the choice that is in their best interest"
Mathilda Alexander, Coord., Camden Cnty Voc &Tech. Schools, Pennsauken, NJ

" Open the Door" was an extremely valuable learning experience for all students. The performance was of the highest artistic standards, and the educational benefits were extraordinary."
Roberta Rivet, Principal, E. C. Brooks School, New Bedford, MA

"The Next Step was probably the most successful assembly we have ever had. It was entertaining, moving, and highly motivating. Great job!"
John McEwan, Program Coord., Silver Lake Reg.H.S., Pembroke/Kingston, MA

"...clearly the finest performance of it's kind that I have witnessed in my 27 years as a middle school educator ... he is a talented teacher with the gift to relate important values to youngsters in a manner that they can understand and relate to."
John E. Hagerty, Qualters Middle School, Mansfield, MA

"The Gift Inside" "...a heartfelt holiday commentary non-religious, non-commercial, but full of the Irw spirit of giving of one's self."
Janet Frye, Memorial School, Milford, MA

"We Care" "Scot was given superior ratings by our teaching staff for his professionalism, ability to communicate with his audience, response of the children to the performance, appropriateness of the performance to the age level, level of creativity and educational value of the performance."
Ms. Richard, Principal, Hammer Elementary School, Wethersfield, CT

"His timely performance set a tone for thought, and many meaningful post-performance discussions in our classrooms."
Brian Rogan, Kennedy School, Brockton, MA

"Scot's underlying message of being sensitive to the needs of others, caring, and building self-esteem were clearly delineated in his wonderful performance."
Frank Dunbar, Principal, Goddard School, Brockton, MA

"Scot made everyone go "inside" themselves to find the meaning of the holidays. He was responsible for our first graders giving of themselves to earn money so that they could give presents to children not as fortunate as they."
Helen Bragdon, Dame School, Medford, MA

"...students came away with the message of how important it is to care about ourselves and those around us..."
Richard Sanderson, Principal, Northwest School, Leominster, MA

"Classics With a Twist" "Scot created an an entire program of Dr. Seuss material. He sang songs from his song book, read poems from his collections and performed stories which had the children and their parents totally engrossed. Scot created a memorable experience for the parents and their children."
June Kingston, President Union 61 Teachers' Association, MA

Press

Entertainer teaches students conflict management

By Eric LeRoy, Standard-Times correspondent

NEW BEDFORD -- Wisdom took the form of laughter at Winslow Elementary School as a packed auditorium responded to the bouncy antics of professional mime Scot Cannon.

An appearance by the puckish comedian from East Bridgewater highlighted what could be the most important week of the school year for these children in Grades through 6. That is because there was a serious message behind the merriment. Mr. Cannon's performance was part of Winslow's third annual "We're keeping Our Cool at Winslow School" Conflict Resolution School Spirit Week.

The project is designed to teach children how to cope with anger, frustration and feelings of alienation, all of which, most specialists say, contribute to the potential for violence and tragedy besetting American schools today.

The activities preceding the spring vacation break included guest speakers and readers, videos and daily newsletters, poster painting, dancing, "wacky, mixed-up" clothes, ice cream coupons, "Caught Doing Something Good" pencils, and Mr. Cannon's invigorating show.

"All of my work deals with obstacles," he said after his performance, which included bringing children to the stage to act out roles related to anger-management.

"That is the connection I have with kids. I build my routines around my own memories of pain and rejection."

Mr. Cannon refers freely to the problem he faced with stuttering as a child, and even today there is still evidence of the condition, although it never shows up in his singing.

"I believe that the process of overcoming a problem that has held you back can become one of best parts of your life. Most of the best teachers I have ever had have been forced to deal with something like that, which is probably why they have such empathy for their students," he said.

A former teacher, Mr. Cannon has been performing up and down the East Coast for 12 years. His repertoire consists of eight shows with themes such as "We Can," "We Care" and Winslow's "Open the Door" -- all designed to enhance self-esteem and promote self-empowerment in young people. He works with audiences ranging from kindergarten through high school.

His stagecraft is built on energy, wit and a seemingly intuitive rapport with the youngsters. "Open the door/When you feel trapped/Inside of that mask/That's keeping you sad," he sings, and the children clap and sing in unison. "Open the door/Let someone in/Try talking instead/Of trying to win."

All the while, he strums his guitar or plays the mime, pressing his hands to imaginary walls and wiping the glass of invisible windows. He talks and sings of zippers that won't unzip, doors that won't open -- little everyday occurrences experienced by all that can escalate into frustrated, the-world's-against-me negativity and rage.

And he advises his audience to "Stop! Listen! Think! Talk!"

After the performance, some of the children who were invited to the stage spoke of their response to Mr. Cannon's message.

"It was fun," said sixth-grader Elysha Daly, 12. "I learned a lot today."

"I enjoyed the chance to be on stage," said Rita Jadlowe, 12. "I learned how to mime, to act out my feelings."

Shelby Sullivan and Kara Giasson, both 11, agreed that going on stage was fun.

Kara said, "It will help me not to blame others when something goes wrong, not to take things out on other people."

Among those applauding Mr. Cannon's work was Janet McDonough, chairwoman of the "Keeping Our Cool at Winslow School" Committee. "He did us all a service. I think the children have benefited from the entire week."